OECD Highlights Rise in Number of Young Individuals Lacking a University or Vocational Diploma
According to recent studies, approximately one out of six young adults in Germany has not obtained an Abitur or completed vocational training. This statistic has seen an upward trend, prompting concerns from organizations such as the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts. As per the OECD's "Education at a Glance" report, this proportion rose from 13 to 16 percent among individuals aged 25 to 34 between 2016 and 2023. Germany is one of only a handful of industrialized nations where this figure has gone up, exceeding the OECD average of 14 percent.
In spite of significant investments in education, the number of young adults without a secondary II degree remains substantial, as per the OECD. Between 2015 and 2021, there was an 8% increase in spending on primary and secondary education as a percentage of GDP in Germany, contrasting with an average growth of 1% across the OECD.
The economic sector is expressing concern, with the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) advocating for an educational transformation. According to ZDH President Jörg Dittrich, a ZDH survey reveals that around 75% of companies have witnessed a surge in learning gaps among their apprentices, a situation that is increasingly problematic for these businesses.
Early childhood education holds key to success
Although women tend to achieve better educational results than men in general, the situation shifts in the job market. Among individuals aged 25 to 34, female employment rates are lower than male employment rates. Specifically, only 49% of young women without a secondary II degree in Germany are employed, while 74% of young men are employed.
Research suggests that early childhood education can help minimize developmental disparities that adversely impact some children at the onset of primary school. In the majority of OECD countries, children participate in early childhood education in their last year before enrolling in primary school. In Germany, this applies to 96% of children in this age group, which is in line with the OECD average.
Despite the high participation rate in early childhood education in Germany, the issue of young adults without a secondary II degree continues to be a concern. This group, both men and women, faces challenges in finding employment, with only 49% of young women and 74% of young men without such a degree being employed. This situation calls for a focus on improving schooling and addressing learning gaps to ensure a more equitable job market.
